UK weather: Met Office issues RED alert - THIS part of the UK could see up to 50cm of snow

BRITAIN has been pummelled by blizzard-like conditions over the past 24 hours but the brutal weather is set to continue into Friday as Siberian gales meet snow Storm Emma – promoting the Met Office to issue even more red weather warnings throughout the UK.

Snow Storm Emma is expected to cause heavy snowfall, with 30-50cm expected in some southern parts of the British Isles on Thursday evening, the Met Office revealed.

The Met Office has urged people throughout the UK to prepare for the freezing weather conditions. It wrote on Twitter: “Do not make unnecessary journeys in the red warning area. Even if you are in the Amber or Yellow areas, consider if your journey is necessary, and take provisions in case you get stranded. Take care and stay #weatheraware”

Met Office chief forecaster said: “Widespread snow is expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening. Around 10-20 cm is likely to fall widely, with the potential for up to 30 to 50 cm over parts of Dartmoor, Exmoor and parts of southeast Wales.

“Snowfall will be accompanied by strong to gale easterly winds, leading to severe drifting of lying snow, especially in upland areas. Severe cold and wind chill will compound the dangerous conditions, with very poor visibility.

Getty•Met Office

BBC weather forecaster warns people to not take the red weather warning lightly

Severe cold and wind chill will compound the dangerous conditions

Met Office

“Towards midnight, there is a chance of snow turning to freezing rain in places, mainly across the south of the area, with widespread icy stretches making driving conditions particularly dangerous.”

Weather radar maps show the storm is currently located off the western coast ofSpain,and will move up towards France before steering off in a westerly direction towards Cornwall.

BBCWeather forecaster Carol Kirkwood urged people to not take the red weather warning lightly. She said: “It’s literally just happened but we have another red warning. Now the red warning is the most severe weather warning that the Met Office does issue.

“Now it has not just got central Scotland, Teeside and Fife in it as we’ve been running through the course of yesterday. That one is valid until 10:00 am (GMT) this morning.

“But we also have another one for Somerset, for Devon and also for the southern half of Wales. So if you are travelling these are all snow warnings.

“Treacherous conditions. Don’t treat it lightly.”

The BBC host added: “Today is the first day of the meteorological spring. Somebody should’ve told the weather forecast that because we are starting off with a red warning.”

People are advised to avoid unnecessary travel with severe disruption expected on roads, railways and at airports.

Breakdown service AA has issued travel advice on how to beat the treacherous road conditions.

Four people have been killed in crashes during the severe weather and fresh warnings have been issued for drivers to take extra care on the roads. A man also died after falling through ice on a frozen lake.

A man, believed to be in his 60s, died in hospital yesterday after being pulled from a frozen lake after he fell through the ice as he tried to save his dog.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) also said twenty people were hurt in the crash which closed the M66 near Bury.